Metallic fabric.



PATENTED NOV. 22, 1904.

E. A. BEDIENT.. METALLIC FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED A1 ?R. 13, 1904.

.NO MODEL.

2 69 5 5, fi 1 fi 1 Q1 EE i J UNITED STATES Patented November 22, 1904,

PATENT OEEicE.

METALLIC FABRIC.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 775,620, dated November 22, 1904. Application filed April 13, 1904. Serial No. 203,04z8- (N0 specimens.)

In the embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated herein in order to disclose its principle and operation the fabric is made up of intermeshing sections, which besides being connected and arranged in such a manner as to secure flexibility are adapted to produce a self-cleaning action when the fabric is rolled or flexed.

The invention consists in the features and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of one part of the fabric, which may be regarded as the unit of my fabric. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the fabric, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the fabric.

Referring to Fig. 1, the'unit of my fabric consists of a piece of flat materiall, as metal, bent into substantially rectangular form, with an opening left in one side at the point 2. This construction provides a piece of substantially l shape, but having its ends turned inwardly at 3. These units are combined .to form the complete fabric, as shown in Fig. 2, and are arranged in what may be called sections. One section, A, may be regarded for convenience of description as made up of the units a, a, and 0 The next adjacent section, B, may be regarded as made up of the units 6, b, and 72*. The units of the latter section, it will be noticed, are reversed in position with respect to the units of the section Athat is to say, the unitsof the section A have their open sides directed toward the right, while the units of the section B have their open sides directed toward the left. The units of the next section, A, are disposed in conformity with these of the section A in all respects, while the units of the section B are arranged like those of the section B, and this order of units in the adjacent sections is continued throughout the entire fabric. It will be noticed, further, that the units of one section intermesh or interlock with those of the adjacent section or sections. For-instance, the ends '3 of the units a a (L as well as one side 4 of each of said units, lie within the units 7) I) b of the adjacent section. In other words, the units of one section extend through the open sides of the units of the adjacent section and have their inturned ends lying against the inner sides of the said adjacent units. The units are held together by rods 5 passing through theinturned ends 8 and through the sides of the units, and these rods form the pivotal connections between units on which they turn. I preferably form these pivotbars in pairs of substantially U shape, so that in fastening the units together by screwing nuts onto the threaded ends of the rods said rods will be held against turning.

One-important feature of my invention is the self-cleaning character of the fabric when it is flexed or bent from the condition or position in which it has remained for any length of time.

It will be observed if any section is moved on its pivot in relation to the adjacent section the moving side will be displaced in relation to both of the openings lying on its opposite sides. Take, for instance, the section A. If the fabric is moved so as to cause this section to turn on the pivot-rod 5, the side 4 of the said section will move in relation to both the side 4 of the section B and the side 4 of the section A, and the result of this will be that any dirt which may have collected in the openings between sides 44 or in that between the sides 4 4" will be dislodged, and this is particularly true of a construction in which, as in the present case, the units are made up of flat metal. From the above it will be clear that the side 4 moves in'relation to the open spaces on each side thereof and will clear the said spaces of accumulated dirt.

-At the outer edge of the fabric connectinglinks 6 may be employed between the pivotbars, and these are the only connecting elements employed in addition to the units. At the ends of the fabric filling-pieces 7 may be used, these being of shape.

The fabric is particularly useful as a mat.

I claim as my invention 1. A metallic fabric composed of units of substantially rectangular form each having an open side With inwardly-turned ends the adjacent units being reversed in position and intermeshing by having a portion of each entering the open side of the other and means passing through the sides and inturned ends of the units for pivotally holding them to- 5 U passing entirely from side to side of the 20 fabric and nuts fitted to the said rods, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EMORY A. BEDIENT. Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, L. B. MIDDLETON. 

